Atom Amp+: Packaging and Accessories

I did actually unbox the Atom Amp+ before the DAC+, but something just felt right about covering the DAC first given it is earlier in the source chain anyway. This does make my job on this page easier since the box adopts the same design as before. I did notice that it is thinner than the one for the Atom DAC+, which is the case because there are no other accessories aside from a similar QC card. The amplifier ships in a similar plastic wrap to keep it pristine and free of dust.


As with the Atom DAC+, JDS Labs ships a separate AC power adapter for the Amp+. This time, we get a heavier-duty 16 V AC unit, and it's the same as the one included with the Element II. An amplifiers by its very name suggests power amplification, as the whole goal of one is to provide clean power to drive headphones and earphones alike. The power adapter can provide up to 16 W to the amplifier, and you can see above the size difference in the two different provided adapters. Account for two spare power plugs thus; an extension/multi-way power strip may be handy. Should you need a spare unit or one for another region, The JDS Labs 16 VAC adapter comes in four versions and costs $20, .


The company was also kind enough to include a set of optional short RCA interconnect cables, with RCA being the only way to connect the Atom DAC+ and Amp+. These are flexible enough to bend in a short curve, with the cable itself holding shape well without kinking, and there are gold-plated connectors for oxidation resistance. JDS Labs sells other cables too, but in my opinion, these work the best for this stack, and cost $15 if you are interested.